Silver
Sona Fuzz
Four-transistor silicon high-gain fuzz based on evolved DIY circuit by Doug Hammond, Gus Smalley, and Aron Nelson, featuring Fuzz/Volume/Tone controls, Body switch, internal Bias and Ceiling trimpots, relay true bypass, and 19mA draw.
The MAS Effects Sona Fuzz delivers extreme high-gain silicon fuzz with what Premier Guitar describes as a touch of class, emerging from Mark Stratman's one-man boutique operation in 2022. The circuit traces its lineage to a design that's been floating and evolving in the DIY community for years, with primary contributions from Doug Hammond, Gus Smalley, and Aron Nelson. Stratman's implementation uses four silicon transistors configured for singing sustain and aggressive saturation, earning coverage in Bass Magazine, No Treble, MusicRadar, and Premier Guitar for its versatility across guitar and bass applications.
The pedal's external control set includes Fuzz (gain/distortion/sustain), Volume (output level), and Tone (panning between cutting highs or emphasized lows). A Body switch provides pre-fuzz signal conditioning, fattening or thinning the signal before it hits the clipping stages for additional tonal variation. Internally, two trimpots offer advanced tweaking: a Fuzz Ceiling control tames the maximum available gain to avoid extreme noisy settings, while a Bias control can be adjusted for gated, sputtery textures reminiscent of dying batteries or starved transistors. This internal adjustability makes the Sona Fuzz particularly appealing to players who want to dial in specific fuzz characteristics beyond the standard control set.
The silicon transistor topology ensures temperature stability and consistency compared to germanium designs, delivering reliable performance across varying environments. The four-transistor configuration provides massive gain on tap—far exceeding typical two or three transistor fuzzes—while maintaining articulation and note definition even at extreme settings. The relay-switched true bypass uses a soft-touch footswitch that can be operated as a momentary effect, allowing players to kick in fuzz for specific phrases or stabs without committing to full engagement. This momentary capability has made the Sona Fuzz popular for dynamic playing styles where fuzz appears and disappears throughout a performance.
Available in Natural wood, Sparkle, and Sunshine powder coat finishes, the Sona Fuzz draws only 19mA from a standard 9V DC center-negative power supply with no internal battery clip. Priced at 49 with MAS Effects' forever warranty, it represents Stratman's philosophy of creating unique offerings rather than endless vintage circuit reissues. The pedal has found favor with players seeking extreme gain that remains musical and controllable, from doom metal to shoegaze to experimental noise—anywhere singing sustain and aggressive silicon saturation are desired.
Reverb
Amazon
